12 SKAL LIFE ON THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 



CONDITION OF THE ROOKERIES. 

 ST. PAUL ISLAND. 



Xortheast Point rookerij. — Although a comparison of the charts and 

 photographs of this rookery for 1894 with those made in 1893 may indi- 

 <;ate a slight diminution of seals, I am not prepared to state that this 

 is the case. Owing to unfavorable weather the observations of last 

 year were made later than they should have been, after the spreading 

 ^f the rookeries had commenced. The data for the present year having 

 been secured earlier, the difference in the records should bo accounted 

 for accordingly, 1 note, however, an additional break in the belt of 

 breeding seals in the immediate vicinity of the Point. 



PoJavina roolcery. — Although the photographs from Station G show 

 very little change in position, the rookery when viewed from other 

 l)oiuts appeared to have a well-marked break in the center, which will 

 be found indicated on the chart. Ciood weather having followed very 

 stormy weather, the seals had taken to the water to a noticeable degree 

 when the photograph was made. I think that no actnal decrease can 

 be recorded. 



Little Polavina rookery apparently exhibits no diminution since last 

 year and very little change in position. 



Lulannon rooJa'ri/. — No perceptible change in the number or positiim 

 of breeding seals was noticed here. 



Ketarie rookery. — This small and gradually diminishing rookery, I 

 believe, shows a shrinkage since last season, but not a very marked one. 



Reef rookery. — No decrease is ai)parent. The change in distribution 

 is slight. 



Lagoon rookery remains unchanged since last year. 



Tolstoi rookery. — The seals here are perhaps a little more concen- 

 trated at the north end of the rookery ; but otherwise there is no change. 



Zapmhiie rookery, — The hill portion of this rookery is unchanged, but 

 the very thin portion extending about a mile along the shingle beach 

 ■exhibits several breaks never before noticeable. 



While the fur seal, naturally so gregarious, returns year after year 

 under normal conditions to its accustomed breeding grounds, there are 

 indications that it is less at home upon tracts which are becoming thin, 

 and is inclined to concentrate upon adjacent breeding tracts more 

 thickly covered with seals. This appears to be the case with the above- 

 mentioned Ketavie rookery, and in the case of Zapadnie to be borne 

 out by the appearance of an increase upon the adjoining rookery of 

 Upper Zapadnie. This scattered beach rookery is illustrated by one of 

 the photographs. 



Upper Zapadnie rookery. — An incn^ase since last season being indi- 

 cated here, 1 went over the ground very carefully, and, although it may 

 not be apparent in the photographs, the chart will be found to show 

 ■changes which I believe mean a slight increase. 



ST. GEORGE ISLAND. 



East rookery. — It is possible that this rockery has suffered a slight 

 shrinkage since last season, but 1 found it difficult to decide thtit such 

 was the case. 



Little Last rookery remains unchanged. 



J^^orth rookery. — Slight and unimportant changes in distribution were 

 •observed, but no apparent decrease. 



Hitarry Arteel rookery remains unchanged, 



Zapadnie rookery. — There is a widening of the break along the beach 

 l)ortion of the rookery, but no decrease was noticeable. 



